Freedom of speech

Free speech helps students develop new ideas. It also drives innovation. But promoting this freedom while protecting staff and student safety can be challenging. We offer universities guidance on how to make space for different views while tackling harassment and discrimination.

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12 December 2024 Case study

12 December 2024 Case study

How are universities protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom?

Policy Adviser Beth Cooper shares findings from a survey on freedom of speech and academic freedom.
9 September 2024 Publications

9 September 2024 Publications

Our joint letter with NUS on tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism

This joint letter outlines our efforts to tackle hate speech and racism, to alleviate fear, to improve community relations and to protect freedom of speech.
20 May 2024 Publications

20 May 2024 Publications

Our response to the Office for Students’ consultation on free speech regulatory advice

We’ve responded to the Office for Students (OfS) consultation on their proposed regulatory advice and other matters relating to freedom of speech.
6 March 2024 Publications

6 March 2024 Publications

Our responses to Office for Students consultations on free speech

We’ve responded to the Office for Students (OfS) consultations on their free speech complaints scheme and the regulation of students’ unions in relation to freedom of speech.
22 February 2024 Parliamentary briefings and submissions

22 February 2024 Parliamentary briefings and submissions

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill briefing, February 2024

Latest briefing on the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill circulated to peers ahead of second reading on 20 February 2024.
2 October 2023 Publications

2 October 2023 Publications

How can universities prepare for the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act?

Our briefing to support Universities UK (UUK) members ahead of the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act.
4 July 2023 Parliamentary briefings and submissions

4 July 2023 Parliamentary briefings and submissions

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill - Second Reading

This briefing provides a short summary of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, as well as those areas where we feel further clarification and assurances are required at Second Reading.
1 June 2023 News

1 June 2023 News

Our statement on the appointment of Professor Arif Ahmed MBE as Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the OfS

In response to the appointment of Professor Arif Ahmed MBE as Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at the OfS.
17 March 2023 Podcasts

17 March 2023 Podcasts

Podcast: Are universities protecting free speech?

It's easy to talk about the need to promote free speech and academic freedom. But how do universities actually protect free speech day-to-day?
26 January 2023 Freedom of speech

26 January 2023 Freedom of speech

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill – Statutory Tort

This briefing presents Universities UK’s concerns around the statutory tort provision of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, ahead of its remaining parliamentary stages. It also outlines assurances we are seeking to the guidance that is being produced by the Office for Students (OfS), in relation to the Bill.
7 December 2022 Freedom of speech

7 December 2022 Freedom of speech

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill – Lords Report Stage

This parliamentary briefing provides a short summary of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, as well as those areas where we feel further clarification and assurances are required at the Bill's Lords Report Stage.
7 December 2022 Explainer

7 December 2022 Explainer

What’s really happening with free speech at universities?

We've tackled some of the myths about free speech and academic freedom at UK universities.

Freedom of speech

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